Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Author Talk: On a Mission: The History of US Women Astronauts with Smithsonian Valerie Neal

Virtual Event

2026-04-02 11:00:00 2026-04-02 12:00:00 America/Los_Angeles Author Talk: On a Mission: The History of US Women Astronauts with Smithsonian Valerie Neal Sally Ride is household name as the first American woman in space, but scores of equally impressive women have left their mark in space. On a Mission tells the epic journeys of the women who made space for themselves in a male-dominated field. Virtual Program -

Thursday, April 02
11:00am - 12:00pm

Sally Ride is household name as the first American woman in space, but scores of equally impressive women have left their mark in space. On a Mission tells the epic journeys of the women who made space for themselves in a male-dominated field.

Valerie Neal, emerita curator from the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum and expert on human spaceflight, interviewed many of the US women astronauts to bring their experiences to life. She offers a culturally insightful history of their achievements, the challenges they've faced, and their distinctive stories. Collectively, they've completed more than 100 space shuttle missions, and more than 30 long-duration stays on the International Space Station and Russian Space Station Mir, and they continue to prove themselves in present-day space exploration efforts.

The book includes 50 black-and-white photographs to complement the historical account. With its sweeping look from the first women astronauts to Christina Hammock Koch, assigned to the first crewed Artemis mission around the Moon, there is no comparably thorough book on America's women astronauts. On a Mission is an inspiring tribute to unsung women's history.

Register now to take part in this inspirational discussion! 

About the Author: Valerie Neal is a space historian and Curator Emerita at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. Her specialty is human spaceflight, space technology, and space science in the Space Shuttle era and beyond. At the Museum, she collected more than 1500 artifacts of the shuttle era, curated three exhibitions and eight documentary programs for the Smithsonian Channel (cable TV), published books and articles growing from her research, lectured in the USA and abroad, and gave many interviews for US and international media. 

Before joining the Museum, she was a writer and editor for some 25 NASA publications on Space Shuttle and Spacelab missions, the Hubble Space Telescope and other Great Observatories, space science, and NASA History. She participated in underwater astronaut training in Alabama and mission support in Houston for four Space Shuttle missions. She has taught American Studies and writing courses at multiple universities. Valerie Neal holds Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in American Studies and a B.A. degree in English and History.

AGE GROUP: | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | STEAM | Books, Poetry, & Writing |

TAGS: | Virtual Program | Author Talk |

Virtual Program


Hours
Skip Open Hours widget
Mon, Oct 19 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Tue, Oct 20 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Wed, Oct 21 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Thu, Oct 22 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Oct 23 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 24 7:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, Oct 25 7:00AM to 6:00PM

About the branch

This is a virtual location. No events are held at this address.

Upcoming events

Skip Upcoming events widget
Mon, Oct 26, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Whether you’re launching a startup, conducting market research, or scaling an existing business, LA County Library offers free access to the premium industry databases you are looking for.
Register

Wed, Oct 28, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
This November's mid-term election will include 14 statewide ballot measures, from voter ID to the billionaire tax. Join the League of Women Voters Educational Fund to hear the pros and cons of these measures so you can make an informed vote.
Register

Sat, Oct 31, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Join us to discuss Deacon King Kong by James McBride. When a church deacon, shocks his Brooklyn housing project by shooting the neighborhood drug dealer in broad daylight discover the connections that bind a struggling community together. 18 +
Register

Tue, Nov 03, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for a transformative virtual conversation with Indigenous Medicine Woman Asha Frost as she explores her groundbreaking book, You Are the Medicine: 13 Moons of Indigenous Wisdom, Ancestral Connection, and Animal Spirit Guidance
Register

Tue, Nov 03, 5:00pm - 6:00pm
The holidays are filled with fun & memories, but a person living with Alzheimer's may feel a sense of loss because of the changes they are experiencing. Caregivers may feel overwhelmed maintaining traditions providing care and a safety.
Register

Mon, Nov 09, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join our librarian and representative from Biblioboard and the Indie Author Project to learn more about how the Library can support your writing goals!
Register

Tue, Nov 10, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for an out-of-this-world virtual conversation with New York Times bestselling authors Kelly & Zach Weinersmith as they dive into their book, A City on Mars: Can We Settle Space, Should We Settle Space, and Have We Really Thought This Through?
Register

Wed, Nov 11, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Join us for an eye-opening conversation with veteran journalist Paul Vigna as we examine his provocative book, The Almightier in which he explores the question: how did money go from a tool of commerce into the dominant faith of modern society?
Register

Thu, Nov 12, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Join LA County Library and Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) for a thought provoking conversation about the inspiration behind A Bill of Rights for Our Future.
Register

Thu, Nov 19, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Step into a world of celestial magic, political intrigue, & ancient prophecies with Rebecca Roanhorse as we dive deep into her acclaimed Between Earth and Sky trilogy.
Register